The French Ministry of the Economy has asked the courts to declare several clauses in contracts between Carrefour and its franchisees null and void, and to impose a financial penalty on the retail group, it announced in a press release.

The French General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), which reports to Bercy, said it had intervened before the Rennes Commercial Court, "for abusive practices by the Carrefour group vis-à-vis its franchisees and tenant managers".

The DGCCRF specifies that this intervention is part of the proceedings brought by nearly 170 franchisees at the end of 2023.

In a press release, Carrefour stated that it "vigorously" contests the Ministry's grievances, as well as the "disproportionate" nature of the fine claimed.

According to "La Lettre", Bercy is claiming a record fine of 200 million euros against Carrefour for the management of its franchise network.

"The amount of the fine is obviously unfounded in view of the impact of the contractual clauses under discussion", said Carrefour, adding that it had "total confidence in its ability to demonstrate the perfect validity of its contracts".

The DGCCRF did not confirm the amount of the fine in its press release.

The retail group's share price was down 8.9% at 10:40 GMT. (Written by Augustin Turpin)